‘They are crying’: Refugees in Malaysia in fear amid Myanmar deportation
Malaysia has deported nearly 1,500 refugees from Myanmar, part of a plan to send back at least 5,000 as part of a deal with Myanmar's military government.
The story so far
- Sep 29
- Sep 30
- Oct 2
How outlets cover it
3 outletsNot rated on the left–right scale. It describes Western party politics and doesn’t fit state media or outlets outside that system, so we show ownership and country instead.
Open questions and key claims
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned that continuing conflict and violence in Myanmar meant conditions for safe and dignified returns did not exist.
Life for the estimated 125,000 Rohingya in Malaysia is better and safer than in Myanmar.
Rohingya, a Muslim minority group, make up two-thirds of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia.
More than 10,000 Myanmar nationals are currently in Malaysia's immigration depots.
Human rights groups condemn the repatriation, stating returnees face violence, persecution, and forced conscription.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim states the repatriation is voluntary but barred the UN refugee agency from screening returnees.
Anwar Ibrahim attributes the decision to growing public hostility towards the Rohingya population and economic strain.
Malaysia began repatriating about 1,500 Myanmar nationals on Tuesday.
Who and where
Related stories over time
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- Sep 29 – Oct 2◆ This story
- Oct 6 – Oct 8 laterMalaysia PM says will work on Myanmar’s ASEAN reintegration4 articles · 2 outlets